that great gospel jest called rock n roll
I spent (almost) all day in the presence of rock and/or roll yesterday, capping off my evening with a set from the Constantines. As usual, the band came ready to bring it, so other than noting that Bry Webb sounded a little hoarse, there's not much more to report... except for the encore. After ripping through a set that contained all of my Cons faves (On to You, Arizona, and Young Offenders, among others), the band invited Jon Rae and the River and Ryan from Ladyhawk (don't know where the rest of the 'Hawk dudes were) to join them on a cover of "Thunderstruck." It was as awesome/ridiculous as it sounded.
I missed Ladyhawk (shocking, I know), and got to the Plaza just in time for Jon Rae and the River. Honestly, for whatever reason, I've never paid much attention to the BC ex-pat since he headed back East to set up shop in TO. My mistake. Jon and his band totally delivered with a set of no nonsense rock that was infused with equal parts roots and gospel. I was ready to fall asleep once I made it to the venue, but by song number two of the River's set, I was wide awake and ready for more. Oh, and they finished their set with a balls to the wall cover of "Bastard's of Young" (by the Replacements - but you probably knew that) with Bry on vocals (which is actually when I took that photo of him)
Earlier in the day, I made it out to the 16th rendition of Arts County Fair. I pledged that last year would be my last drunken all-day party ACF experience, but I was pretty excited to catch Land of Talk. Despite their early set time, they didn't disappoint, at least considering that ACF involves playing to a crowd that's not really there to see you, as much as they're in attendance to see each other.
I managed to catch up with (lead singer) Elizabeth Powell before the band's set, and she let me know that thy have an full-length recorded and also that they'll be in town opening the Rosebud's show on June 9th. Now I just have to find a way to swing that and Girl Talk/Datarock.
Pride Tiger opened the show. Again, the early slot meant a sparse crowd, but the guys did their best to do their thing anyhow, which as you probably know means more riffage than you can shake an ass at.
I picked up a sampler for their new album, and I'll get one of the two tracks up soon. Josh at EMI also dropped me a note last night to let me know that he's sent a copy of the new album my way, so expect some full thoughts on that soon as well. I'm pretty pumped for the record.
Honestly, after the first two acts, I was more content to visit with some people I haven't seen in awhile than watch the remaining bands all that intently (Aaron Prichett, Maseo from De La Soul, and Sam Roberts), but I've got to mention that I was amazed when the self proclaimed "Prince de la Rave Rap," My! Gay! Husband! and his Half Alive compadres proved that they can rock any crowd, when they got a couple of thousand non-hipster University kids to dance between sets.
Jill Barber is at the Media Club with Jim Bryson on May 9th.
Electrelane's show is canceled because they're opening for the Arcade Fire. edit: but not here. (thanks Matt and thanks to the anonymous tipster for the correction)
And finally, the Cave Singers and Lightning Dust is also off. Refunds at point of purchase.
I rattled this off in a hurry, so apologies for any glaring spelling/grammar/typing errors.
Game two tonight! Go Canucks go!
now playing: Contantines - Arizona
Labels: constantines, jon rae and the river, land of talk, pride tiger, show announcements, show recaps
5 Comments:
Electrelane isn't opening for Arcade Fire at Deer Lake - they are for most of AF's other shows, but we've got St. Vincent
who knows, they might change it...
By 
, at
7:07 p.m.
ahh, thanks.
Teaches me for assuming things and not double checking.
So only Maseo from De La was there? Where were the other two plugs?
By , at
2:15 p.m.
One of them lost his passport, and then couldn't get on the plane the day before the show. Then found his passport. And then promptly missed his rescheduled flight the morning of the show.
professional.
they're rappers. you expect something else?
(although, this sounds more out of the ignant tree than native tongues)
